As representation of Latinos on corporate boards and executive teams remains proportionately the worst of all diversity groups, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is actively working to rectify the situation among corporate leaders in America.
From his position as chair of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force since 2010, Senator Menendez works on increasing communication between Latino leaders and Democratic Senators in order to fulfill the Task Force’s mission of helping ensure that the issues of greatest importance to the Latino community are addressed in Congress.
“I am here to open the doors,” says Senator Menendez. “Diversity comes in different dimensions. My state is incredibly diverse – it has a social as well as economic diversity, I understand the challenges.”
According to a study orchestrated in 2010 by Senator Menendez as chairman of the Task Force, Latinos comprise 3.28% of board members and 2.90% of executive teams, which translates to about one-fifth of the 16% of the population represented by Latinos in the U.S.
“We need to change the dynamic and make it a commonplace for minorities to be part of the American corporate structure,” says Senator Menendez. “It is not just about doing what’s right, but it’s a good business decision that will benefit both corporations and the communities they’re tapping into and making investments in. That’s why I’m offering my recommendations and [working] one-on-one with companies who want to move those numbers and company executives who want to make a difference in the community.”
I would like to know exactly what is being done. I was a willing individual to offer my time to serving on one of these Boards and have yet to hear anything concrete. This was about 2 years ago when this topic first came up with Sen Menendez.